Only current and retired police officers get to take their weapons inside the courthouse, even if they are there as criminal defendants. Big signs are posted at the courthouse that no weapons are allowed inside. But when Sanders went to court, sheriff's deputies allowed him to enter the building with the gun he wears, even though he was there to be arraigned on criminal charges.

In response to the 11 News I-Team's questions, a court system representative said that is the policy of the sheriff's office as it applies to current and retired police officers, regardless of whether they are charged with crimes. Sanders is a retired city police officer. No such privilege is afforded to the general public.

Sanders has a permit to carry a gun, according to the Ravens, but if it's a state permit, he could have trouble. The second-degree assault charge, according to state police, would require his permit to be suspended and then revoked if he's convicted.

State police are no longer permitted to disclose who is permitted to carry a gun, the result of a new gun law passed in 2013.